Bearing Others Burdens: Bits of Knowledge

The Word of God teaches us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2, New King James Version). This simply means that we should help others when we see them struggling with issues, whatever they may be. Sometimes our hearts can truly ache with sorrow for people as we see them struggling and sincerely want to help them and fulfill the Word of God. However, the reality of it is: we are not always going to be in a position to help people-sometimes we just don’t have the resources to do so. Now being the compassionate social worker that I am, I can identify problems from a mile away and of course I want to fix them all!

Yet I’ve had to accept that sometimes people have needs that are outside of my scope of practice; and in these cases I’ve found that people are often just fine with someone simply LISTENING to them vent and letting them know they are NOT ALONE. Sometimes people just want to know that someone cares enough to listen, even if the person listening can’t solve their problem. Sometimes people just want someone to say “yeah that would have upset me too” or “yeah I went through that and I got really down too.” People are dealing with some serious issues-depression, loneliness, anger, anxiety, you name it. And with all of these very HUMAN emotions, people just want to know they are not crazy or weird for feeling the way they do.

For instance, lets say someone is suffering from depression due to a huge financial problem. Now while you may not have the resources to fix their financial problem you CAN sympayhize or empathize with them, letting them know you care and understand their sadness. You can also offer words of encouragement from the Word of God. So today I encourage you to be a listening ear, let somebody know they are not alone. Let somebody know that you too have dealt with some of these negative emotions and have also overcome them. And in the meantime, pray that God will in due season send someone in their path that is equipped and qualified to fully take on their burden and help to fix their problem!

Galatians 6:1-2 (New King James Version)

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself least you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”